German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has just wrapped up a two-day visit to China, the first such trip since Berlin's new government took office and one that comes amid an unusually active wave of European diplomacy in Beijing. During his meetings with senior Chinese officials, Wadephul discussed trade, investment, supply chain stability, rare-earth management and industrial cooperation. He also emphasized that "direct engagement with China" has become irreplaceable for Germany and Europe. What does this visit reveal about the current state of China–Germany relations? What issues now sit at the heart of the bilateral agenda? And as more European leaders travel to China, what can we expect from the next stage of China-EU engagement?